Chargers finally end impasse with Tomlinson

LA JOLLA -- It was only drinking water in the UC San Diego
cafeteria, but one can't blame John Butler and Ed McGuire for
having a toast late Tuesday night: LaDainian Tomlinson had agreed
to a $38 million, six-year contract.

"Until he signs, I'm not going to say anything," said Butler,
the Chargers' general manager. "They have agreed. But I would hate
to say, `That's wonderful, that's great,' then something happens
tomorrow. I learned that a long time ago."

That's unlikely. Tomlinson is expected to arrive at the team's
UCSD training camp today to sign his contract, which includes a
$10.5-million bonus and various incentives.

Tomlinson, the draft's fifth overall pick, has been absent since
the rookie reporting date of July 22. The former Texas Christian
star has missed half of the team's preseason games and will make
but two or three of the training camp practices.

But that was of little concern as the news of Tomlinson's
agreeing spread like wildfire around the team's camp. The featured
back in Norv Turner's offensive scheme was soon to be a Charger,
and that put smiles on everyone throughout Chargers Nation.

One of the most celebrated holdouts in franchise history had
come to a close.

"It was give and take by both parties," said McGuire, the team's
contract negotiator.

Tom Condon, Tomlinson's agent, said the two parties intensified
talks after the Chargers returned from Miami on Sunday.

"I think we renewed the effort this week," Condon said. "Today,
L.T. came in and visited us in Kansas City, and we showed him what
we were going to try to do, and then he went back to San
Diego."

Now, San Diego has a back it has lusted for since Butler pulled
the trigger on the blockbuster trade that sent the No. 1 pick --
and quarterback Michael Vick -- to Atlanta.

Tomlinson is expected to resurrect one of the worst running
games in the NFL. At TCU, he was a Heisman Trophy finalist as a
senior; along with Ricky Williams, he's the only player to rush for
more than 2,000 yards in a season and 5,000 in his career. His
5,263 career yards ranks sixth in NCAA Division I-A history. Only
eight other players have eclipsed 5,000 yards.

The Chargers haven't had a back reach 385 yards in a season
since 1998.

That should change with Tomlinson in the fold.

"It's about time," running backs coach Ollie Wilson said. "It
was like getting a present when we drafted him, then someone takes
it away from you.

"My plan is when he walks in the door, we start hitting it hard.
Long after the other guys have left the meeting room, me and him
are going to be in there. We got to get him ready."